In today’s ever-changing college admissions landscape, it’s imperative for students and parents to stay informed about the latest standardized testing requirements. More colleges are reinstating requirements that a student submit an SAT or ACT score. In fact, since the start of 2024, the following schools have rolled back their test-optional policies: Brown, California Institute of Technology, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Stanford, the University of Texas at Austin, and Yale.
Where to begin? We’re here to help! Read on for the latest SAT/ACT testing requirements for Fall 2025 admissions, and beyond. We’ve included links to the following schools’ admissions websites. Students should always check the testing requirements for each individual school when planning an SAT/ACT preparation timeline and creating a college list.
Latest Testing Requirements for Fall 2025 College Admissions:
Updated 12/13/2024
Several universities have reinstated their SAT/ACT requirements beginning with the Fall 2025 admissions cycle. Below is a list of schools that require standardized test scores:
- Brown
- California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
- Dartmouth
- Florida flagship schools (University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida International University, University of South Florida)
- Additional State University System of Florida schools (See a full list here)
- Georgia flagship schools (University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Georgia College)
- Harvard
- MIT
- Purdue
- University of Tennessee System (Including the flagship campus in Knoxville)
- University of Texas at Austin
- US Air Force Academy
- US Military Academy
- US Naval Academy
Some universities have more specific requirements or policies that will fully take effect in 2026:
| School | Testing Policy | Details |
| Auburn University | Test-Optional/Required | Requires SAT/ACT for students with a GPA below 3.6. |
| Cornell University | Test-Recommended Fall 2025 | Recommends SAT/ACT for students applying for Fall 2025 and will require scores for students applying for Fall 2026. |
| Georgetown | Test-Required | Requires SAT/ACT and submission of each applicant’s complete testing record. |
| Georgia State University | Test-Optional/Required | Requires SAT/ACT for students with a GPA below 3.4. |
| John Hopkins University | Test-Recommended Fall 2025 | Recommends SAT/ACT for students applying for Fall 2025 and will require scores for students applying for Fall 2026. |
| Rice University | Test-Recommended | Recommends SAT/ACT for students applying for Fall 2025. |
| Stanford University | Test-Required | Will require SAT/ACT for students applying for Fall of 2026. |
| Yale University | Test-Flexible | Requires SAT, ACT, AP Exams, or IB scores for students applying for Fall 2025. |
For Ivy League schools with test-optional policies:
- Columbia University has a test optional policy.
- UPenn will remain test-optional for the 2024-25 application cycle.
- Princeton University is “assessing” and will remain test-optional through Fall of 2025.
Test Blind Schools:
- The University of California (all campuses), are remaining test-blind, meaning they do not consider SAT or ACT scores in their admissions decisions.
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) will be test blind through 2030.
